Class of 2019 4-star forward commits to AU

Pebblebrook forward Jared Jones traveled to Auburn Wednesday night. The sophomore from Mableton, Ga. had a message to deliver to the Tigers.

“I wanted to tell them in person and not over the phone,” Jones said. “I wanted to tell them that I’m committed.”

Jones, who stands 6-foot-9 and weighs 230 pounds, became the first commitment in Auburn’s 2019 recruiting class when he informed associate head coach Chuck Person.

“It feels great,” Jones said. “I love it at Auburn. Every time I go there I feel at home. The coaches make me feel welcome. They make me feel part of the family.”

Jones has been a frequent visitor to Auburn. He was on campus for the Tigers’ football games against Clemson and Arkansas State. The visits have allowed Jones to develop relationships with the Auburn coaches, most notably Person and head coach Bruce Pearl.

“Coach Person always gives me tips on shooting, even when we’d go on tours around the campus, he’d give me tips,” Jones said. “Coach Pearl would, too. He always gives me tips on how to become a better player and a better person. He talks to me about keeping God first, that God can do a lot of things for me.”

Jones will join former Pebblebrook standout Jared Harper at Auburn. Harper will begin his freshman season at AU on Friday, the first day of practice. Jones plans to be there.

“I’m coming back this weekend for practice,” Jones said.

It’ll be the first time at Auburn as a commitment.

“I’m very excited,” Jones said. “It feels great.”

Jones chose Auburn over offers from North Carolina, Wake Forest, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Florida, Florida State, Penn and James Madison, among others.